Abbas' brother dies in Qatari capital of Doha

July 21, 2016 9:52 P.M. (Updated: July 24, 2016 5:26 P.M.)

President Mahmoud Abbas (AFP/File)

BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) -- The brother of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Omar Abbas, died on Thursday evening in the Qatari capital of Doha, according to the Palestinian Authority (PA)-owned news agency Wafa.

Abbas is set to head to Doha on Friday to attend his brother’s funeral.

It remained unclear on Thursday what caused Omar’s death.

Isaac Herzog, the head of the Israeli Zionist Union party, reportedly phoned Abbas on Saturday and offered his condolences. According to Israeli news site Walla, the two agreed to hold a meeting together soon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also reportedly called Abbas on Friday to offer his condolences on the passing of his brother.